Trifle ... à la Slimming World

I adore trifle! There I've said it and I feel good about it too! I don't really know when trifle got a bad name but I love it. 

When I say 'it' I am of course referring to my usual, full-fat, calorie laden version ... made with Swiss-roll, jam or jelly, custard and cream ... Oh well enough of that now ... stop drooling Giuseppe!  This is now only reserved for special occasions, however, if you'd like me to blog about the non-Slimming World version leave me a comment, I'd be only too happy to oblige!

So, getting back to the main objective of this post, a low-syn slimming world version of "trifle" had to be made.  As usual, this is my preferred way of doing it, but the variations are as endless, depending on where your imagination takes you! But, lets get started ...

You will need:

1 x packet sugar-free jelly crystals (I use Hartley's @ 1 1/2 syns)

1 pint water

1 x packet white chocolate options (2 syns)

1 x packet of gelatine crystals/powder

1 x tub Quark

1 x Muller Light yoghurt

8 strawberries

Note: I think Banana & Custard or Vanilla with Dark Chocolate Sprinkles flavours work best, but you can use any flavour.

The method:

Put the kettle on, then when boiling, pour 1/2 pint of the boiling water into a measuring jug.  Otherwise, bring 1/2 pint of water to the boil in a pan on a low heat.  Now add the jelly crystals to the boiling water while stirring or whisking constantly.  I find that it's much easier with a whisk.  Once the crystals have dissolved, pour the jelly mixture equally into 4 glasses or serving dishes.  Put these into the fridge to set for about 10-15 minutes.

Whilst the jelly is in the fridge, bring another 1/2 pint of water to the boil and then add the gelatine crystals to the water, stirring constantly until the crystals has fully dissolved.  Then add the muller light yoghurt to the gelatine mixture and stir until everything is incorporated.  Leave to one side, but don't put it in the fridge or it will start to set!

Now, wash and slice the strawberries and set aside.

After 10-15 minutes, check to see if the jelly is set on top.  It doesn't have to be fully set, just enough that there is a film on top to hold the next layer of liquid.  When you're happy, that it's set, arrange a layer of strawberry slices on top of the jellies. Then, slowly,  pour over the gelatine and yoghurt mixture equally amongst the 4 dishes.  Put these back into the fridge to fully set, for at least 30 minutes.

In the meantime, take the tub of Quark and add to it the white chocolate options powder.  Mix both together well, then put it back in the fridge until the jellies are set.

Once you are happy that the jellies are fully set, put the quark mixture into a piping bag with a star nozzle and cover the top with small stars.  It should just be enough to cover the 4 dishes.  Top with a glacé cherry and all is good with the world. 

These 'trifles' work out at just under 2 syns.  Leave out the cherry and it's just under 1 syn per trifle.  Quite good for a tasty version of a classic dessert!  Enjoy and let me know what you think if you try it!

Cooks notes:  I have purposely left out any "sponge" as it adds more syn values. However the best alternative I have found is to use a 'boudoir' biscuit (sponge finger) which adds an extra 1 syn.  Still at only 3 syns per 'trifle' it's not that bad! 

Chocolate sprinkles will set you back 1 syn per teaspoon and I just don't think they are worth it!  I'd rather have a cherry!

You can also add fruit into the bottom of the glass with the jelly (like mandarin or banana etc) but I don't like the consistency of the jellied fruit which is why I don't do it.  But if it floats ya' boat - go ahead!

Chicken Katsu Curry ... à la Slimming World

I've loved chicken Katsu curry ever since I first tasted it at the Wagamama's in Manchester's print works. It combines three things that I find yummy; sticky boiled rice, deep-fried chicken breast and curry sauce. In fact it's so good I'm wanting to eat more of it ... and I've only just polished off a huge plateful!

Anyway ... while I am still in the state of being "a-little-bit-bigger-than-I-want-to-be" or, to put it simply ... fat,  I have been faffing around in the kitchen trying to come up with a slimming world "friendly" version.  

As this is my take on the recipe, I am also enhancing it by serving it with Green Tea rice, rather than the plain boiled rice.  I came across the aforementioned when in New York with my sisters a couple of years ago, wandering around the backstreets of the city.  

As always we were in search of food before heading off to a comedy club night and we came upon a Bim Bim Bap shack.  We had the green tea rice, eating it on bollards outside the shop as there wasn't enough space inside and it was ... well, yummy! So I have decided to recreate that, think of the health benefits of green tea, while tucking into curry ... well, it makes me feel slightly more saintly anyways!

I am, therefore, now pleased to share with you my low-syn version of this recipe for you to try.  The  recipe serves 4 @ 1/2 syn per serving! Only 2 syns for the lot, not that i'm suggesting you eat it all by yourself of course! 

Oh, by the way if you do try it, please leave a comment for me, I'm starting to get a little lonely out here ...

So, to make Chicken Katsu Curry with Green Tea Rice for four (4) people, you will need:

For the chicken:

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon Bouillon 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

4 60g slices wholemeal bread*, made into breadcrumbs (2 x 60g = 1 Healthy Extra B*)

4 chicken breasts 

For the katsu curry sauce:

1 onion, finely chopped

5 whole garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 carrots, diced

2 tablespoons of lentils (red or green ... or any other colour you fancy!)

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon garam masala
2 tablespoons turmeric
2 teaspoons honey (2 syns)

1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 bay leaf

500ml chicken stock

water as needed

For the rice:

2 bags green tea

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups short-grain rice (like sushi, paella or risotto rice)

3 1/2 cups water

Note: if you just want plain boiled rice then that's fine too! But do give this a try, it really does taste nice!

Firstly, make the sauce.  Put some low-calorie spray (I use FryLight) in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic.  Soften for  about 2-3 minutes, I find that I need to add a couple of tablespoons of water to the onions after a minute or two, to stop them catching in the pan.  

When the onions are at the translucent stage add the carrots and 1/2 cup (3-4 tablespoons) of water, cover and allow to sweat on a low heat for around 10 minutes. Hopefully, after 10 minutes they should start to caramelise, however not to worry if they don't (oh the joys of low-fat cooking).

Now, stir in the curry powder, turmeric and gram masala and cook for a minute or two. It should now resemble a thick paste. Pour in the stock, stirring all the while, then add the honey, soy sauce and bay leaf.   Bring the sauce to the boil, then add the lentils (these are just to thicken the sauce instead of flour),  reduce the heat and start to simmer for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, you can prepare the chicken.  Put the eggs, Bouillon, salt and pepper into a bowl together and mix well.  


Add the breadcrumbs to a separate bowl. Get your chicken breasts, put them on a chopping board and give them a good bashing with a rolling pin (or meat tenderiser) to flatten them out.  Then place a breast in the egg mixture, coat it well, then dip into the breadcrumbs and cover.  Place the coated chicken breasts onto a greased (well ... Frylighted) baking tray and put into a hot oven for 15-20 mins.  This means they should be ready around the same time as the curry sauce. I have an Aga and use the roasting oven and top-most rungs. For a conventional oven I think it should be around 220 degrees but you will know best!

So, we have the sauce simmering away and the chicken in the oven.  Now for the rice! This is super simple.

Take the tea out of the bags and mix with the salt (I put mine in a pestle and motor as the leaves were quite big and I wanted a powder effect, but it's up to you).  Add this to a pan with the rice and the water.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to simmer with the lid on for 10 minutes.  Turn off, leave covered  for at least 10 minutes.  If timed correctly it should be ready by the time you want to dish up! A minute or 5 extra won't do it any harm.  In the Aga I keep it in the simmering oven once it's ready.

After 20 minutes, or when the chicken breasts are nearly ready, take the sauce off the heat and allow to cool for a short while.  Put the sauce mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.  If you don't have one you can pass the sauce through a sieve instead.  Put it back in the pan and re-heat if necessary. 

To serve, put the rice in a small mound on the plate (i used a small bowl to mould it), cut a coated breast into strips and then drizzle 1/4 of the sauce over it.  Repeat for the other 3 plates.  

Sit down, tuck in and enjoy!  My taste testers (O.K. partner and sisters, but believe me they are not biased when it comes to taste tests!) have assured me that its pretty close to the real thing for a low-syn version of a katsu curry!

Cooks notes: You can of course take out the honey to make a completely syn-free version of this sauce.  I have tried it and it's just not the same, however, if you do decide to take it out I would at least put in a tablespoon or two of sweetener to compensate.  However, 1/2 syn isn't bad at all! 

If you find that this sauce isn't thick enough try adding a few more lentils the next time around, try to avoid adding flour as it just adds syns that you don't need and at 3 1/2 syns a tablespoon it just isn't worth it!

*If you don't mind "tweaks" you can substitute the bread for instant mashed potato (you know what I'm talking about!) and then you don't have to use up your Healthy Extra.  It is, however, better with breadcrumbs. 

Couch to 5k ... Week 5 and an update!

Time for an update on my "fitness" (try not to laugh too loudly) journey.  Well ... I have to say that I'm still on track (pun intended) and actually starting to enjoy it! I can't believe that that statement just came out of my mouth without causing me to want to be sick ... but it did.  Slowly but surely I'm starting to change my attitude towards "activity" and I do look forward to my next jog.

The other amazing thing about this, albeit short journey, is that I've inspired others already.  My sister and mother have started the journey (which believe me I am flabbergahsted at!). My mum - running - impossible.  If I hadn't seen it myself ... we actually crossed while out on separate runs, I would never have believed it!  My dad has just decided he will join them too - this just is not normal for an Italian immigrant family.  Mum should be cooking and dad watching t.v. while shouting at mum to change the channel, even though she isn't even in the same room!

And .. some of the ladies at our Slimming World group have also been encouraged by my antics and we have started a walking group.  A couple of us go for a 30 minute to 1 hour walk, 2 to 3 times a week.  I will work on them to see if we can work up to a tiny, weeny jog at some point ... little steps for now.  Wow, I digress so easily ....

.... So, at week 5 where am I?  Well ... my trainers are no longer looking new and there were 3 different jogs for this week to mix it up a bit:

My worn trainers!

• Run 1: Brisk 5-minute walk, followed by 5-minute run, 3-minute walk, 5-minute run, 3-minute walk, 5 minute run.  Total of 15 minutes jogging.
• Run 2: Brisk 5-minute walk, followed by 8-minute jog, 5-minute walk, 8-minute jog.  Total 16 minute jog.
• Run 3: Brisk 5 minute walk, followed by 20-minute jog, no breaks! 

What? Whoa? Wait a minute ..... that's a massive jump! I'll never be able to do it.  I just about managed the other 2 runs!  This Laura is mad, 20-minute jog, it's only Week 5!  These are only some of the thoughts that went through my mind last night as I was trying to figure out how I could avoid doing the jog in the first place!

However, I have to say in all honesty that after the first 8-minutes it actually got easier, I relaxed and really enjoyed my run.  The feeling of elation that followed after Laura (my personal podcast coach, courtesy of the NHS Couch to 5 K program) congratulated me was amazing!  I very nearly "fist-pumped" and shouted Yea Hah! But then reminded myself that a) I might be seen, b) I live in Bury and c) I'm not American!

My Nonna ...
...ready for the Italy Euro 2012 season!

So ... the next best thing ... walk to my mum's (who lives 12 doors down, another story in itself!) and get Nonna to make me a good old-fashioned espresso to kick me back into life.

And there we have it folks ... I'm 5 weeks in on my 9 week journey to get jogging for 30 minutes and I'm already doing 20 mintues.  I can't beging to tell you how that feels ... even my neighbours (who are regular walkers/cyclists) are genuinely stunned.  In fact, yesterday, they saw me and said "You off for a walk?" to which I replied "Not at the moment, but I've already been for a run today" and their response was "We are really amazed, we had written you off i'm afraid at never wanting to do any walking, let alone jogging" to which I beamed!

Therefore ... I encourage anyone of  you who reads this to take the plunge.  Download the podcasts from here, find a spare 20 minutes when no-one is around and take that first step!  It really is worth it!

Tabbouleh à la Giuseppe

So .. summer is finally here and if any of you are like me that practically means living in the garden and eating barbecued food. Yum!  One of the foods that I have always loved is Tabbouleh.

I first sampled this tasty dish when I lived in Nice, France when I was on my sandwich year (why does everything I do tend to involve food in some way or other?) many moons ago now.  I used to be able to buy it from Carrefour in a bulgur wheat and tin of juices twin-set.  Hey, I was a student and things in packets and tins were great, especially when being "Continental".  It really was sooo good, tasty, zingy and refreshing. 

It's been a dish I have tried relentless to recreate and get "just right".  Trust me, I've made many a version of this with different grains, combinations of vegetables, herbs and spices.  There are so many recipes out there for Tabbouleh as it's eaten predominantly in Arab countries, Cyprus, Turkey .. well you get the picture!  

So what I offer you here is my take on what essentially is a simple recipe.  It's quick to make, very tasty, perfect for summer lunches and best of all .... free on the Extra Easy or Green Slimming world plans.

Cooks note: this really is best made with bulgur wheat instead of couscous, the texture is just much better.

Jelly Sweets à la Slimming World

I dedicate my second ever post to those of you out there who are following the Slimming World plan.  I have been on plan since 5th January 2012 and while progress is slow I have managed to loose a total of  2st 41/2 pound so far I said it was slow, but as the old adage goes, better off than on! 

Having said that, I have achieved my first milestone which was my Club 10 target.  That means loosing 10 % of your starting weight.  My next mile stone is 3 stone, the halfway point of what I want to lose hopefully by the end of the year!

So ... it is going in the right direction after all, as my consultant says "some people take the express way and some a more scenic route" and while at first I thought this was really rather cheesy, I've gradually come to realise that this isn't a competition.   With everything else in my life I want it yesterday, or at the very least by 5.30pm ... so it gives me a chance to play with whatever it is before bedtime!  However, this time I've promised myself that I'm in for the long haul, it's not a race, I want it to work and I want it stay off.

Which leads me onto the main reason for this post - Jelly Sweets.  Part of my journey has involved me joining the Diet Momma facebook group. Which, I have to say is a not only a brilliant support network and massive inspiration but contains wonderful and creative recipe ideas.  One such recipe was for a Haribo  bear replacement, Slimming World friendly Jelly Sweets.  Well, nothing ventured nothing gained and I love both Haribo and jelly so off I went to have a play in the kitchen. 

Ingredients:

1 x sachet of jelly crystals

2 x sachets of gelatine powder

1/2 pint water

2-3 small silicone moulds
optional: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Citric Acid

Method:

1.  Place 1/2 pint water in a small saucepan and put onto a gentle heat (on our Aga I put it onto the simmering plate)

2.  Add sachet of jelly crystals, I use Hartley's at 1.5 syns for 1 sachet (as pictured), and stir until dissolved.

3.  Add both sachets of gelatine powder and then gently stir until dissolved (don't worry if it goes instantly lumpy, just keep stirring and it should all dissolve)

4.  At this point add the citric acid if you like that sour edge. I love it, the more sour the better!

5.  Pour into jelly moulds and then put in fridge for at least 1 1/2 hours.

 And voila!

Jelly sweets! 

I'm starting to like these better than the shop bought ones and everyone I've forced them upon has really enjoyed them too.

The thing is with these the possibilities are endless, you can try different flavours, adding a tablespoon of yoghurt to make a different texture, even splitting the layers to have multi-coloured sweets.

It's a fab activity to try with the kids and you can even get experimental with the moulds you have around the house: egg cups, yogurt pots, cake moulds, ice-cube trays, shot glasses and on and on.  If you use anything non silicone based, i would recommend spraying the inside with FryLight first to make it easier to get out.

If you're interested, I got the butterfly, teddy and heart moulds from Home Bargains for 79p each.  PoundStretcher and B&M also do them from time to time and I found the other chocolate moulds in T.K.Maxx.  Now I'm always on the look out for fun moulds.  Enjoy and report back if you find any cool variations.  

Happy slimming!

P.S. I have tried (in vain) to make syn free versions of the above that would still remain edible.  I have tried sugar free squashes and also diet fizzy drinks but none taste as good as with the jelly crystals.  So feel free to try, but believe me, I wouldn't bother, so throw caution to the wind and use your 1 1/2 syns.   You deserve it (wink).